Official figures just published by the Office for National Statistics show that Cheshire and Warrington produces 20% more per head than the UK average, confirming the area’s position as the North’s economic powerhouse.

The figures show that economic output grew by 6% between 2015 and 2016 to just under £30 billion per annum, and confirmed Cheshire and Warrington as having the second highest income per head of any sub-region in England outside of London.

The data also confirmed that the area still produces 25% of the North West’s manufacturing output, worth £6.5 billion a year, highlighting the sub-region’s economy as the best performing in the North.